Articles

Natural Pain Relief In Labor

Judy Miders|3/9/2013

Pregnant women have plenty of fears and concerns, but few of them are as profound or as deep as concerns about pain during labor. The fact is that there are plenty of different ways to reduce labor pains, but not all of them are created equally. Many mothers point towards an epidural as their saving grace, but a closer look reveals that the many different options for natural pain relief in labor could be a better call for mothers and for babies.

First, it's worth understanding more about an epidural. This procedure involves the placement of a small catheter in the epidural space of the spine. Medication is fed through that catheter which numbs the lower part of the body. However, an epidural comes with numerous potential risks including:

• An increased chance of infection
• Increased chance that a caesarian section will be required
• Cessation or weakening of contractions
• Prolong labor
• Severe headache, sometimes lasting for days or even months after delivery
• Back pain
• Steep blood pressure drops
• And more

Add to these risks the fact that you still won't totally be numb and will still experience pain during labor, and it isn't hard to understand why so many women choose to ignore the epidural and go with natural pain relief in labor instead.

When it comes to natural pain relief, you'll have a wide range of options. There are plenty of methods, but they'll all work by focusing on one of the two main causes of pain. When you have a baby, one of two things will trigger the pain you feel – pressure or contractions.

• Contractions are the muscles within your uterus flexing, tightening, and working to force the baby through your body. They're comparable to menstrual cramps, only far more intense. Most labor pain relief options will work to reduce these pains accordingly.

• Pain caused by pressure is the other issue, and can be just as intense as or more intense than contractions. As the baby passes through your pelvis it will place significant pressure on your body. That pressure is felt as burning, tearing, or in other ways. Unfortunately, only a couple of options exist to alleviate the pain caused by pressure.

Now that you know the two types of labor pain you'll experience, you can take a closer look at the different methods of dealing with that pain.

Pressure related pain is lessened in two main ways.

• Positional Changes – By lying on your side, assuming a squatting or kneeling position, or getting on your hands and knees, you may be able to relieve some of the pressure that is placed on your body.

• Soaking In A Tub – Either having your baby in a birthing tub or just soaking in a tub for a bit before the final stages of labor could help tremendously. The weightlessness that water provides can take some of the pressure off your pelvis.

Pain caused by contractions has more options in terms of the different ways it can be managed. Some of the options include:

• Massage – Light massage can relax tense muscles and alleviate pain significantly. It's useful throughout labor, right up to the 'pushing' stage.

• Acupressure – Studies have found that acupressure can help to relieve the pain that contractions cause and lessen their duration. You'll need someone in the birthing room that can help provide this to you, however.

• The Tub – Once again, the tub can help. Soaking in a tub or giving birth in a warm birthing tub could help by relaxing the muscles through warmth.

• Muscle Relaxation Techniques – There are numerous tips and tricks that can help, too. Things like relaxing jaw and facial muscles or focusing on relaxing the lower body could help to relax the muscles that experience strong contractions.

There are also some methods that work to provide natural pain relief in labor and can help you overcome both types of labor pain.

• Mental Pain Management – Learning to use mental pain management techniques like meditation could help reduce the pain you feel from both types of labor pain.

• Distraction – Lamaze and other distraction based techniques may help take your mind off the pain and provide you with a bit of an escape from the pain experienced. Classes can teach you how to master this.

• Hypnosis – Some mothers have found that learning basic hypnosis techniques can provide them with a way to mentally remove themselves from the pain and experience a more enjoyable labor.

Simply put, there are numerous methods out there that could help you break free from the pain you feel during labor. An epidural may sound like the best option, but for many mothers it simply isn't worth the risk. With so many resources and classes readily available, it's easy to research and discover better ways to control your pain. Labor pain relief is a lot closer than you may think – you just have to know how to start looking for it.

If you are looking for a proven method that can help you reduce pain and quicken your labor then you must check out the Laboraide Shop.

What is Laboraide?

Watch to find out more about Laboraide and what mothers who have used it already have to say about it.
See testimonials of doctors, midwives and mothers who used Laboraide as the only labor pain relief at childbirth. Learn how you can manage your upcoming birth pains and in the most natural, easy secure and simple way there is!